Stairs layout tools



Nov. 18, 1969 F. R. CATALANO STAIRS LAYOUT TOOLS 3 Sheets5heet 1 Filed Dec. 28, 1967 INVENTOR FRANK 1?. CA TALA N0 W? romey Nov. 18, 1969 F. R. CATALANO STAIRS LAYOUT TOOLS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 28. 1967 R. CATALANO giro/nay 5 Nov. 18, 1969 F. R. CATALANO 3,

STAIRS LAYOUT TOOLS Filed Dec. 28, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

IN VE/V TOR FRANK R. CATALA/VO 2 C Attorney United States Patent 3,478,434 STAIRS LAYOUT TOOLS Frank R. Catalano, 1230 Garrison Ave., Rockford, Ill. 61103 Filed Dec. 28, 1967, Ser. No. 694,179 Int. Cl. B431 7/06, 13/24 US. Cl. 33-93 19 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This tool, consisting of a T-square pivotally adjustable by the outer end of the leg thereof relative to the corner portion of a carpenters square, can be set for a given riser dimension and a given tread dimension by the corresponding hypotenuse dimension, whereupon the crossbar of the T-square is clamped across the two legs of the carpenters square, the cross-bar of the T-square then being slidable along the bottom edge of a stringer for a steel stairs on which the lines are to be scribed using the carpenters square for locating the carriers for the risers and treads. Holes in the carpenters square are used to mark the locations of bolt holes on the stringer for fastening the same to posts at landing platforms. The tool also is used for scribing the lines for cutting otf the ends of stair stringers at the proper angles to connect with platform stringers.

This invention relates to a new and improved stairs layout tool particularly adapted for use in the laying out of stringers for tread carriers on steel stairs with a view to obtaining closer uniformity of steps with the same correct correlation of risers with treads throughout, while at the same time realizing appreciable savings in labor costs. The layout tool, as will soon appear, is designed also to facilitate other necessary details such as laying out the miter or cut-off lines at the ends of stair and platform stringers, laying out the location of bolt holes on stair stringers at posts and notching of said stringers for same, also changing layout work to allow for different tread thickness, and so forth.

The tool, briefly stated, comprises a T-square, the twopart cross-bar of which is adapted to be placed against the lower edge of a stairs stringer while the leg thereof is pivoted at its outer end on a right angle integral and coplaner tandem extension of the corner of a right angle frame or carpenters square, the T-square being arranged to be clamped in its pivotally adjusted position relative to the right angle frame by engagement of the two cross-bar parts on opposite sides of the two legs of the main body portion of said frame. Graduations on the edges of the legs of the main body portion of the right angle frame for riser and tread are used in setting the T-square before clamping. Graduations for hypotenuse dimensions are also provided on the edges of slots in the cross-bar to coincide with the riser and tread readings and thus further insure correct settings of the T-square' before clamping. Holes in vertically spaced relation in the riser leg of the right angle frame serve in marking the location of the bolt holes in stringers for bolting the same to posts in the correct inwardly spaced relation to the cut-off line scribed on the stringer.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing how a stairs layout tool made in accordance with my invention is adapted to be used by slidable engagement of the T-square on the lower edge of a stringer on which layout lines are to be scribed;

FIG. 2 is a face view of the layout tool on a larger scale but still about one-third actual size;

3,478,434. Patented Nov. 18, 1969 ice FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional details on the correspondingly numbered lines of FIG. 2, showing the parts enlarged in both views, oversize in FIG. 3 and slightly below actual size in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 5-9 are diagrams used in explaining the use of the present tool, and

FIGS. 10 and 11 show two different stairs illustrating the'layout operations described in FIGS. 5-9, performed with the tool of my invention.

Similar reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts throughout the views.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 4, the reference numeral 12 designates the T-square generally and 13 the carpenters square or right angle frame to which the leg 14 of the T-square is pivoted at 15 at its outer end on a right angle integral coplaner tandem extension 16 in a generally V-shaped depression 17, one leg of which is entirely in the extension 16 and the other leg extends transversely of one leg 18 of the right angle frame 13. The pivot 15 is otfset forwardly the equivalent of one-eighth inch with respect to the edge 19 of the other leg 20 of the right angle frame 13, this one-eighth inch allowance being for the one-eighth inch thickness of the metal plate 21 forming the riser of each step, as shown in FIGURES 10 and 11, fastened in the usual way to carriers 22 welded to the stair stringers 23, similarly as the carriers 24 for the metal pans 25 for the treads, the latter being finally filled with cement, as shown at 26 in FIGURE 10. The carriers 22 for the risers are positioned according to lines scribed on the stringers 23 with the scriber point running along the edge 19 of the vertical leg 20 of right angle frame 13. The carriers 24 for the trends are positioned on lines scribed where the scriber point is run along the top edge 27 of the horizontal leg 18 of the right angle frame 13; however, in case a half-inch thicker tread is desired, then the lower edges 28 of slots 29 are used in marking the line for the treads, these slots 29 being provided in horizontally spaced relation in the horizontal leg 18 of the right angle frame 13. Graduations 30 are provided along the edge 19 of the vertical leg 20 for the risers, and graduations 31 are provided along the edge 27 of the horizontal leg for the tread dimensions. The risers may vary anywhere from six to eight inches. Treads may vary anywhere from nine to nine and a half inches. Knowing the amount of rise in relation to horizontal distance from one platform to another it is an easy matter to calculate in the usual way the number of steps with stipulated riser and tread dimensions for each step and then either calculate the hypotenuse dimension for each step or get that information from a table, and it is from this point on that the present layout tool can be used to very good advantage.

In operation, referring first to FIGURE 5, the stringer 23, which is of the usual twelve inch width, will have a line 32 scribed thereon longitudinally thereof approximately four inches from the bottom edge, and upon this line there is marked with a pair of dividers the hypotenuse dimension with as many divisions as required, as indicated at 33. Then the stair layout tool is set by swinging the T-square 12 about its pivot 15 relative to the right angle frame 13 to a position where the riser and tread dimensions can be scribed on the stringer 23 using a scriber 34, as shown in FIGURE 1, running this scriber point along the edge 19 of the vertical leg 20 for the riser and along the edge 27 of the horizontal leg 18 for the treads, while the lower cross-bar 35 of the T- square 12 slides along the lower edge of the stringer, the final layout appearing as shown in FIGURE 6 with riser lines intersecting the hypotenuse marks 33 along the line 32, as shown. The upper cross-bar 35' fixed with the lower cross-bar 35 to the leg 14 of the T-square 12, as indicated at 36, has slots 37 provided therein in inwardly spaced relation to the opposite ends, and the hypotenuse dimensions can be read along the sides thereof, as indicated at 38 to assist in the setting of the T- square relative to the right angle frame before the upper and lower cross-bars are clamped onto the legs of the right angle frame by the tightening of screws 39 that extend freely through holes in the upper cross-bar 35 and are threaded in registering holes in the lower cross-bar 35. When the tool is properly constructed and all the graduations are properly applied, one'should be able to read directly along the edge 19, the riser dimension where the upper cross-bar 35' intersects the vertical leg 29 of the right angle frame 13 at edge 19 and likewise read directly the tread dimension at the point where the upper edge 27 of the horizontal leg 18 of the right angle frame 13 intersects the upper edge of the upper crossbar 35, and, so far as the hypotenuse dimensions are concerned, one should be able to read directly at 38 the correct hypotenuse dimension by reference to either the vertical edge 19 or the horizontal edge 27 where it intersects the graduated lower edge of the slots 37. Thus, the operator has a means of double-checking on the proper setting of the tool before tightening the screws 39. If the tread pans 25 are to be filled to the usual one inch depth of cement, tread 26 (FIGURE the treads are scribed along the upper edge 27 of the horizontal leg 18 of the right angle frame, but if an inch and a half thickness of the tread is desired, using pans 25 of inch and a half depth then, of course, the carriers 24 must be set lower, and, in that event, the operator will scribe along the bottom edge 28 of slots 29 in the horizontal leg 18 of the right angle frame 13 and, thereafter, using a straight edge, complete the tread lines after the layout tool has been moved out of the way. The riser lines will still be scribed along the edge 19 of the vertical leg 20 as before. The recess 17 in which the offset end 40 of the leg 14 is pivoted at relative to the right angle member 13 is wide enough to accommodate the T-square 12 in all positions of adjustment for a range of from six to eight inches for the riser dimensions and nine to nine and a half inches for tread dimensions.

When the stairs is a simple one-flight structure, as in FIGURE 11, between the levels A and B, the stringers 23 can be cut off, as shown, parallel to the edges of the posts C and D; however, the layout tool is useful in such a layout for locating the three bolt holes 41 at both ends of the stringers in relation to the first and last risers of the five steps involved, as seen in FIGURE 9, the three holes for this purpose being those shown at 42 in FIG- URE 2, two of which are provided in the vertical leg of the right angle frame 13 and the third in the extension 16. A stylus like that shown at 34 in FIGURE 1 is inserted in each of these holes 42, or a center punch is entered, and given a blow with a hammer to locate each of the three bolt holes. In the same setting for each of these two operations the operator can, as shown in FIG- URE 9, scribed on the stringer 23 the vertical line 43 using the vertical edge 44 of the extension 16 to indicate the cut-off line for the stringer if the stringer is to have its lower end vertical edge coincide with the edge of the post C. If not, the stringer can be scribed again with a line parallel to the first-mentioned line 43 to be cut off as shown in FIGURE 11. At the same time, the operator using the inner end 45 of the horizontal leg of the L-shaped cut-out portion 46 in the extension 16 mark the stringer 23 where a line drawn parallel to the cutoff line will indicate how much of the upper flange a, as well as how much of the lower flange b must be cut away for the three inch post cope at the lower end of the stringer. In marking the upper end of the stringer for the cut-off line, the operator can use the inner end 45 of the L-shaped cut-out 46 to scribe a mark where a vertical line drawn parallel to a line through the bolt hole centers 41 will serve as the cut-off line at that end of the stringer, while the vertical edge 44 of the extension 16 can be used to scribe a line of the stringer, which, when extended upwardly and downwardly, will indicate where the flanges a and b should be cut away for the other post cope.

It should be clear from the foregoing that using the present tool for stair layout purposes eliminates the everpresent danger of errors and spoilage of materials, such as could easily use up a good part of the profit on a stair job by reason of the amount of material thrown into the scrap heap. It also insures closer and neater work all around, without unsightly gaps Where the parts should have been made to fit snugly together if properly laid out to begin with.

FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrate the laying out of the junc tions at opposite ends of stringers. Thus, in FIGURE 7, 23' designates a platform stringer on which is scribed at 47 parallel to the top of the stringer and approximately an inch and a half down, coincident with the edge 48 on the extension 16, a line representing the top of the finish on the platform which is flush with the top of the cement on the last step, the scribed line for which on the stair stringer 23 is made by scribing along the horizontal top edge 27 of the horizontal leg 18 of the right angle frame 13, the cement fill on the last step being two inches thick. A line scribed along the top edge 49 and extended to meet the top edge of the stringer 23 at 50 determines one end of the miter or cut-off line 51 for the stringers 23 and 23, the other end 52 of which is on the inner vertical edge 53 of the vertical leg 20 of the right angle frame 18, where it intersects the lower edge of stringer 23 and the vertical end of the platform stringer 23' as indicated at 54. So much for the lower platform.

Upper platform stringer 23", as shown in FIGURE 8, has the point 55 for one end of the cut-ofl. line 56 determined by where the upper edge 49 of the extension 16 intersects the upper edge of stair stringer 23, the other end 57 of this cut-01f line being determined by measuring off twelve inches at right angles to the upper edge 49 of the extension 16, and this base line 58 will intersect the lower edge of stringer 23 at 57, and, of course, it is a simple matter thereafter to scribe the abutting end of the platform stringer 23" forming a right triangle, the hypotenuse of which is the line 56 for cut-off, and the base is 58. A line scribed along the edge 48 of the extension designates the top of the finished platform while another line scribed along the upper edge 27 of the right angle frame 13 locates where the carrier strip must be welded on the platform stringer 23" to allow for the same two inch cement fill as on the treads for the stairs.

In conclusion, referring to FIGURE 9, it will be seen that the projection 59 at right angles to the upper edge 47 of extension 16 is located inwardly with respect to the vertical edge 44 of said extension far enough to enable marking at 60 on the upper flange a of the stringer 23 how much of the flange should be cut away for a three inch post cope to have the cope in proper relationship to the bolt hole locations.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of the objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims have been drawn to cover all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim:

1. A stairs layout tool comprising, in combination, a carpenters square, having an extension on the corner portion thereof, the vertical leg of the square being adapted for use in scribing lines on a stringer for risers while the horizontal leg is useful for scribing lines for treads, a T-square the leg of which is pivotally connected to the square on the extension at a point approximately on a line coincident with the outer edge of the vertical leg of the square and spaced outwardly from the outer edge of the horizontal leg of the square while the crossbar portion which is fixed in right angle relationship to the leg of the T-square extends in transverse relation to both legs of the square and is adapted to be slidable along an edge of the stringer, and means for clamping the T- square by its cross-bar portion in adjusted relationship to the square.

2. A stairs layout tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pivot point for the T-square is offset outwardly relative to the square and with respect to a vertical line coincident with the outer edge of the vertical leg of the square approximately the equivalent of the thickness of a riser plate.

3. A stairs layout tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the crossbar of the T-square has two bar portions both fixed in right angle relationship to the leg of the T-square in register with respect to one another disposed on opposite sides of the legs of the square, the nether bar providing a straight edge for slidably engaging one edge of a stringer in doing layout scribing thereon.

4. A stairs layout tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cross-bar of the T-square has two bar portions both fixed in right angle relationship to the leg of the T.-square in register with respect to one another disposed on opposite sides of the legs of the square, the nether bar providing a straight edge for slidable engaging one edge of a stringer in doing layout scribing thereon, the means for clamping the T-square comprising means at both ends of the cross-bars for drawing the two cross-bar parts together clamping the legs of the square therebetween.

5. A stairs layout tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cross-bar of the T-square has two portions both fixed in right angle relationship to the leg of the T-square in register with respect to one another disposed on opposite sides of the legs of the square with the means for clamping the T-square by its cross-bar portion in adjusted relationship to the square located at both ends of the two bar portions, the nether bar providing a straight edge for slidably engaging one edge of a stringer in doing layout scribing thereon, the other of said cross-bar parts having at least in one end portion thereof in inwardly spaced relationship to and independent of the aforesaid clamping means a longitudinally extending window provided therein with hypotenuse graduations therein spaced longitudinally thereof readable with respect to one edge of that leg of the square visible in said window.

6. A stairs layout tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the crossbar of the T-square has longitudinally extending windows at both ends, each with hypotenuse graduations therein spaced longitudinally thereof readable with respect to one edge of that leg of the square visible in said window.

7. A stairs layout tool as set forth in claim 1 in which the horizontal leg of the square has a longitudinally, extending slot provided therein in a predetermined spaced parallel relationship to the upper longitudinal edge of said leg for scribing there-through at least a part of a line for a tread.

8. A stairs layout tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the horizontal leg of the square has a plurality of longitudinallly extending slots provided therein in longitudinal alignment with one another and in a predetermined spaced parallel relationship to the upper longitudinal edge of said leg, said slots being adapted for scribing therethrough aligned portions of a tread line on a stringer.

9. A stairs layout tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the crossbar of the T-square has at least in one end portion thereof a window through which the adjacent leg of the square is visible, the window having hypotenuse graduations provided therein spaced longitudinally thereof readable with respect to one edge of said leg.

10. A stairs layout tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the two legs of the square have graduations provided thereon, those on the vertical leg for riser measurements and those on the horizontal leg for tread measurements.

11. A stairs layout tool comprising, in combination, a carpenters square, having an extension on the corner portion thereof, the vertical leg of the square being adapted for use in scribing lines on a stringer for risers while the horizontal leg is useful for scribing lines for treads, a T-square the leg of which is pivotally connected to the square on the extension at a point approximately on a line coincident with the outer edge of the vertical leg of the square while the cross-bar portion which extends in transverse relation to both legs of the square is adapted to be slidable along an edge of the stringer, and means for clamping the T-s'quare in adjusted relationship to the square, the square having a recess provided therein receiving the leg portion of the T-square in substantially co-planar relationship to the square, the cross-bar of the T-square being disposed in a plane parallel to the legs of the square and overlying at its opposite ends the legs of the square, the recess in the square being wide in relation to the leg of the T-square to allow for a predetermined amount of angular adjustment of the T-square with respect to the square.

12. A stairs layout tool as set forth in claim 11, wherein the cross-bar portion of the T-square includes a nether cross-bar longitudinally aligned with the first-mentioned cross-bar and underlying the two legs of the square, the nether cross-bar providing one longitudinal edge portion for slidable engagement with a longitudinal edge portion of a stringer in scribing layout work thereon.

13. A stairs layout tool as set forth in claim 12, wherein the clamping means includes means for clamping the cross-bar and nether cross-bar against opposite sides of the legs of the square while maintaining the two crossbar parts in close longitudinal alignment with respect to one another.

14. A stairs layout tool comprising, in combination, a carpenters square, having an extension on the corner portion thereof, the vertical leg of the square being adapted for use in scribing lines on a stringer for risers while the horizontal leg is useful for scribing lines for treads, a T-square the leg of which is pivotally connected to the square on the extension at a point approximately on a line coincident with the outer edge of the vertical leg of the square while the cross-bar portion which extends in transverse relation to both legs of the square is adapted to be slidable along an edge of the stringer, and means for clamping the T-square in adjusted relationship to the square, the corner extension on said square including a generally L-shaped cutaway portion, one side of each leg of the L coinciding with the outer vertical edge of the vertical leg of the square and the other side coinciding with the upper horizontal edge of the square, the inner end of the L-shaped cutaway portion being spaced a predetermined distance from the outer vertical edge of the vertical leg of the square.

15. A stairs layout tool comprising, in combination, a carpenters square, having an extension on the corner portion thereof, the vertical leg of the square being adapted for use in scribing lines on a stringer for risers while the horizontal leg is useful for scribing lines for treads, a T-square the leg of which is pivotally connected to the square on the extension at a point approximately on a line coincident with the outer edge of the vertical leg of the square while the cross-bar portion which extends in transverse relation to both legs of the square is adapted to be slidable along an edge of the stringer, and means for clamping the T-square in adjusted relationship to the square, the corner extension being of right angle form the outer edges of which are parallel to the adjacent sides of the square, and in said corner extension has on its upper horizontal edge a right angle projection spaced inwardly a predetermined distance from the vertical edge of the corner portion.

16. A stairs layout tool comprising, in combination, a carpenters square, having an extension on the corner portion thereof, the vertical leg of the square being adapted for use in scribing lines on a stringer for risers While the horizontal legs is useful for scribing lines for treads, a T-square the leg of which is pivotally connected to the square on the extension at a point approximately on a line coincident with the outer edge of the vertical leg of the square while the c ross-bar portion which extends in transverse relation to both legs of the square is adapted to be slidable along an edge of the stringer, and means for clamping the T-square in adjusted relationship to the square, the corner extension having a horizontally extending cutout portion parallel to the upper horizontal edge of the horizontal leg of the square and spaced a predetermined distance upwardly therefrom.

17. A stairs layout tool comprising, in combination, a carpenters square, having an extension on the corner portion thereof, the vertical leg of the square being adapted for use in scribing lines on a stringer for risers while the horizontal leg is useful for scribing lines for treads, a T-square the leg of which is pivotally connected to the square on the extension at a point approximately on a line coincident with the outer edge of the vertical leg of the square while the cross-bar portion which extends in transverse relation to both legs of the'square is adapted to be slidable along an edge of the stringer, and means for clamping the T-square in adjusted relationship to the square, the corner extension being of right angle form v the outer edges of which are parallel to the adjacent sides of the square.

18. A stairs layout tool as set forth in claim 17, Wherein the vertical edge of the corner extension on the square has graduations provided lengthwise thereof.

19. A stairs layout tool as set forth in claim 17, wherein the horizontal upper edge of the corner extension of the square has graduations provided lengthwise thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 136,653 3/1873 Hyman 3392 168,656 10/1875 McInnes 33- 92 327,283 9/1885 Levy 3392 796,030 8/1905 Baumgartner 3392 935,067 9/1909 Taylor 3392 X FOREIGN PATENTS 592,160 2/ 1934 Germany.

HARRY N. HAROIAN, Primary Examiner 

